Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Report on
By
Radhesh Sirohiya Enroll no-09112048
Vivek Pandey Enroll no-09112047
Voggu Vikas Reddy Enroll no-09112031
1|Page
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge and extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who
have directly or indirectly helped us and made the completion of this Project possible
especially Sh. Vimal C. Srivastava, -- for his vital encouragement and suppor,for his
assistance, constant reminders and much needed motivation and help and inspiration
he extended to us.
2|Page
Introduction
The aim of the report is to set down, in readily available fashion, the
fundamental theory needed for the design of some typical pressure
vessels of non-circular cross section.
Of these the most common are the rectangular section tanks. They are
often used as bulk storage containers or as baths in the treatment of
metals and fibres and surface coating processes etc. For this reason
vessels of this type have been given special attention. Other shapes are
also included by reference rather than by a worked example.
3|Page
engineering practice in this field. It is hoped that it will promote a
better understanding of the problems associated with such vessels
which are often either ignored or not given the consideration and
attention which they deserve. Such tanks can be quite complex in their
detailed design and unawareness on the part of the designer and/or
fabricator, to appreciate the various aspects can lead to costly
ramifications later on. These tanks although they appear to be very
simple indeed, can nonetheless cause considerable embarrassment if
not assessed adequately at the outset.
4|Page
Fundamental theory for rectangular
section pressure vessels
Figure 1 shows the basic geometry of the rectangular vessel with
sharp corners and which is subjected to a uniform pressure of p.
Where
L = the longer span
h = the shorter span
l1= second moment of area of the beam BCB about its neutral axis
l2 = second moment of area of the beam BAB about its neutral axis
Due to symmetry about axes AA and CC it will be convenient to
analyse one quadrant only of the cross-section shown. This quadrant
is in equilibrium under the action of the loads and moments indicated
in Fig. 2.
5|Page
Clearly from the balance of the horizontal and vertical forces acting
on the quadrant we obtain
Tc =
TA =
U= ...............(1)
= = ............. (2)
(ii) The partial differential coefficient of the strain energy with
respect to a moment acting on a structure is equivalent to
the angle through which that portion of the structure
rotates when the moment is applied
= = .............(3)
When, as in this case, the support of the structure (point A) does not
give way under the action of the loading, then there is no deformation
of the structure at this point of support and the two expressions just
quoted can be equated to zero.
By setting down the equation for moments along AB and BC and by
considering the strain energy due to bending (by integrating along AB
and BC respectively) it can be shown that the moments at the three
important points A, B and C become for a general case
MA
7|Page
( ) ..................(4)
MB
( ) ................(5)
Mc= ( ) ...................(6)
Where
K= and
Notice that
MB= - ( )
where the first term denotes the bending moment at mid span for a
simply supported beam BCB under the action of uniform load p. For a
uniform wall thickness throughout, the parameter
K=
MA
( ) ................(7)
MB
( ) ................(8)
Mc= ( ) ..............(9)
8|Page
where once again
where A, B and c are the three new parameters which, for uniform
wall thickness throughout, are dependent on ratio only.
The plots for these three parameters are shown in Fig. 3, where after
simplification these can be written as
A= .....................(13)
B= .....................(14)
c= .....................(13)
9|Page
As L2 == 4m2 hence this factor of is contained in the parameter ex.1
in all the expressions for moment given as M = apm 2Hence it can be
seen that this approach presented in this article will satisfy both
ASME VIII,
Div.1 and the Swedish Pressure Vessels code for the plain rectangular
vessels but refer has still to be made to these codes for the allowable
design stress and the weld factor where necessary. From the plots
shown in Fig 3 the moment distribution curve along each member can
be quite easily obtained by the following method.
(a) For members BCB, span L First draw to a suitable scale the
free end moment distribution curve BCB which is given by
the standard equation
Mxb= { } ................(16)
10 | P a g e
the new datum line 0-0 as the case may be. In this particular instance
Fig. 4 shows the moment distribution curve which is applicable to the
following three geometries: (i) datum line 0-0 for a rectangular header
whose hlL ratio equals 05, (ii) datum line 0-0 for square header, i.e. h
= L and (iii) for built in beam where h = o. The points of contraflexure
and also shown for these cases. This sort of information could prove
useful when the decision has to be made on the best location of the
welded seam or any other outside attachment.
(b) For members BAB, span h
Similar procedure to that described above can be used to obtain the
moment distribution diagram for the shorter span. The only difference
in procedure is that the initial free end bending moment curve is now
given by the equation
1 x2
Mxa = ph x
2 h
11 | P a g e
pb 2
=
t2
where x is the distance from point B (towards A this time). The new
distance BB should now represent, to the same scale as above, the
shorter span h.
The basic engineering theory and the above procedure indicate that
each member of a rectangular section vessel can be treated as an
initially simply supported (free end) beam uniformly loaded along its
entire length which is then subjected to the end moments MB , the
latter determined from Fig. 3. This approach will be useful for
calculating the central deflection of the members. This is illustrated in
Figs. 4(b) and (c) and the plot for the central deflection of the longer
span L is given in Fig. 5. So far we have dealt essentially with
uniform wall rectangular vessels. The preceding basic theory is
equally applicable to rectangular vessels which have peripheral
stiffeners spaced along the length of the vessel as shown in Fig.6. In
such cases we have to check not only the strength of the stiffeners but
also the stress levels in the wall panels between these stiffeners.
The strength of the peripheral stiffeners can be determined by the
method described above, as for the plain rectangular vessels, by
substituting ps for the uniform pressure load p used in the preceding
analysis. Equations (4), (5) and (6) can be used directly for a general
case where the second moments of area of the stiffeners I and 11 and
the wall thicknesses I2 of the two main sides are different.
12 | P a g e
For uniform wall and stiffener sections Equations (10), (11) and (12)
and Fig. 3 become once more applicable provided ps is substituted
for p in the relevant equations.
The wall panels between the stiffeners can be treated as rectangular
panels fixed (built-in) at all four edges and subjected to a uniform
13 | P a g e
pressure load p over the entire area. Reference (7) covers this
particular case and gives the maximum bending stress, which occurs
at the centre of the long edges, as
pb 2 pb 2
= 0.5 or 0.5
t2 t2
where the value of depends solely on the ratio of the two sides a/h, h
is the width or the shorter span and t is the panel plate thickness. Fig.
7 gives the plot for the variable for various a/b ratios. Notice that for
alb values above 215 the parameter = 05, giving
This represents the same situation that occurs for a built-in beam of
span b. Here the end moment
M 6 pL2 pL2
= 0.5
12t 2 t2
1.5 2.5
p= 0.375 kg 2
10 cm
i.e. the same as above. This confirms that for wall panels whose alb
ratio exceeds 215 we can treat the central portion of such panels as a
fixed-in beam of span equal to the width of the panel.
One further detail which will require consideration is the solution for
the corner wall panels, whether the corner occurs between the main
side panels or between the side panels and the flat ends which may
have transverse stiffeners. Such details can be dealt with by
evaluating the bending moments and tensile loads shown in Fig. 8.
14 | P a g e
Enclosed Rectangular Tank with Flat Bolted Top Cover with Gasket
Seal Fig. 16 shows the essential details of the proposed tank. The
tank is to contain liquid of specific density of 10 up to a maximum
depth of 12 m. The "gas space" pressure == 0069 N/mm 2 (IO
psig). Because of the presence of the flanged joint the cross-section of
the tank cannot be considered as an integral entity. In this instance the
cover and the tank have to be treated independently.
(i) Consider the cross-section of the tank itself. The vertical stiffeners
on the side wall can be considered as beams built-in at the lower ends
and simply supported at the flange face joint level and loaded as
shown in Fig. 17. The pressure at the bottom of the tank will be given
by P2 == 0.069 + 0.012 - 0081 N/mm 2 The pitch between the
stiffeners = 440 mm. Thus the loading per unit length of span will be
PI = 0069 x 440 = 3036 Newtons per unit length of span AB,
and P2 == 0.012 x 440 = 528 Newtons per unit Of span AB.
The two loading conditions shown above will produce the following
bending moments at
base (point B)
15 | P a g e
M = MI + M2
=(3036/8) X 15002 + 528 X 15002 - 9330750 N.mm
Hence the bending stress at this location is 125.08 N/mml
In addition there will be a tensile load equal to = (P2 L)/2
acting on each stiffener. Therefore
d =(81 * 440 * 1500 )/(2*23.4*100)= 1142 N/mm1
So that the total tensile stress
t = 125.08 + 1142 = 13650 N/mm1.
16 | P a g e
Fig 17
Fig 18
17 | P a g e
18 | P a g e
The information presented here is based on the basic theory contained
in Reference (8) by combining the two separate loading conditions for
panels L and h respectively. Basic information on critical moments
and tensile loads is also given for
(a) rectangular vessels with radiused corners-see Fig. 9;
(b) elliptical vessels-see Fig. 10;
19 | P a g e
(c) long vessels of uniform thickness-see Figs. II and 12. Table 1 in
the Appendix gives some basic equations for the simple geometries
and loading systems considered in this article.
20 | P a g e
21 | P a g e
22 | P a g e
WORKED EXAMPLES
1. Open top rectangular tank with continuous horizontal wall
stiffeners
Figure 13 shows the essential details of one such tank measuring
5500 x 2000 x 2500 mm deep. The tank is to contain liquid of specific
density 15. It is to be supported on beam members forming part of
the general plant structure.
The tank is to be built from 6mm thick plate material of 432 N/mm2
ultimate strength. The corrosion effect on the plate thickness is
considered to be negligible during the useful life of the tank.
I t would normally require several attempts to establish the optimum
size of the stiffener and their respective spacing. The following check
will deal with the tank as shown in Fig. 13 in order to demonstrate the
design method rather than the final choice.
The pressure distribution on the tank walls will be linear and as
shown in Fig. 14. The pressure at the bottom of the tank due to the 25
m head of liquid of specific density of 15 will be
1.5 2.5
p= 0.375 kg 2
10 cm
p1
1
2.52 3.32 10 2 500 560
2 2
23 | P a g e
(A) Check on Stiffeners
(i) Considering the first stiffener from the bottom, namely SI. It is
fabricated from 200 x 100 x 8 mm rectangular hollow section whose
properties are as follows
1xx= moment of inertia = 2269 em4
Zxx = elastic modulus= 227 cm3
A= sectional area = 45.1 cm2
24 | P a g e
In the conventional approach to dealing with these bending loads,
internal or external frames have been added to the non-circular
pressure vessel. These frames are generally added around the entire
surface periphery of the pressure vessel, and are closely-spaced along
the entire length, thereby greatly increasing the weight and cost of the
pressure vessel. An additional disadvantage of using these frames is
the deflection of the shell's skin between each of the frame members
in the presence of pressure This skin deflection increases aerodynamic
drag, and thereby reduces propulsion efficiency, thus again
necessitating close spacing of the frames leading to increased weight
and cost.
25 | P a g e
Conclusions
The basic engineering theory outlined in this article shows how we
can check the design of a number of non-circular cross-section
pressure vessels. The worked examples demonstrate how we can
represent various details of a rectangular tank by replacing them with
simplified geometries which can subsequently be evaluated by the
fundamental engineering theory. We must endeavour to make each
theoretical representation as close to the real component as possible.
The closer the approximation between model and actual detail the
higher the allowable design stress levels we can adopt.
The simplification procedure and the degree of sophistication needed
will depend on how arduous will be the intended duty, on the
confidence of our knowledge of the material properties and other
factors. I t is Important to realise the implications of the
simplifications and assumptions which have been made. If the
theoretical model, or the simplified geometry, is too far detached from
the real detail the design calculations may become invalid.
In other cases we can compensate for any simplifications by using
much lower design stress levels or by ensuring that the theoretical
representation is conservative. Personal experience and knowledge of
the fundamental engineering theory will dictate the course of the
appropriate action. This approach is certainly not recommended for
the beginners. If you are one then seek advice.
It is hoped that by outlining some of the salient features of the non-
circular pressure vessels this article would prove useful to the
designers and fabricators alike, and that it would, in some small way,
lead to fewer failures of the type normally classified' as due to poor or
inadequate design.
26 | P a g e